Rockport, Texas

...two weeks of livin' on island time....

...while the rest of central Texas was trying to stay dry, we were basking in the warm sun along the coastal region...Goose Island, Rockport,Port Aransas and Corpus Christi...we arrived at Goose Island around 4pm and picked out a wonderful site...this year we chose the wooded area instead of the waterfront bay area...good choice...the winds on the bayfront were between 30 and 40 mph everyday...first morning we decided to go on a birdwalk...whole new exprience...birdwatchers are a different breed...however, we found out we really liked it...a couple of new binoculars, a birding book and somewhat camo clothes we have started our "life list"...favorite bird to date...roseate spoonbill...fishing at the camp pier was windy but Bill did manage to catch a 22 inch redfish....we only were able to fish a few times during our 2 week stay because of the winds....we visited the Fulton Mansion...amazing home...and fortunate for us, one of the descendants was visiting with some friends and he and Bill became great "buds" during the tour and we were able to learn a lot about the family....really more than necessary...he he...downtown Rockport is a wonderful little fishing village...we luv the piers and boats and now the birds....and yes, I did have to locate....Golden Needles and Threads....did purchase some "coastal print" cloth for a lap quilt for Gus....we arrived a day late for the Sandfest in Port Aransas, but we did manage to get a picture before it was bulldozed down...because of no sewer hookup, we moved to the Sandollar RV Resort in Rockport...luved it...across the street from the marina, fishing pier and Alice Faye's Bar and Grill...what more could you want...as a matter of fact, we stayed four more days than planned...if I could get Bill to pay our bills on the computer we could have stayed longer...he he...we took a couple of trips to Corpus...one to the boat show and another to tour the USS Lexington and the Aquarium...turns out, I think every elementary school scheduled their field trip for the day we were there...how did I do it for 30 years...he he...it did bring back lots of memories...especially, when the kids were running, yelling and splashing in the water...he he...the Lexington was unbelievable...we spent three hours and didn't see it all...we met one of the volunteers who was stationed to the Lexington in 1943 and he wanted to tell Bill all about it...wonderful man...another adventure was to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge...lots of great walking trails and a car trail...we were doing great until we discovered we were walking with the alligators with nothing between us...we were between the alligators and the viewing stand....a little scary for me....our last nite was at Shorty's...the oldest and friendliest bar in Port Aransas...Miss Rose is the owner and it was her mother's bar....needless to say we had a great time....Gus is unpacked, sheets are washed and we are ready to go again..... enjoy the slide show.....pictures don't do justice to our trip.....

On the road again....

yep...Gus had a checkup...changed the oil...we are packing up today and heading out tomorrow...Texas coastline here we come....

An East Texas Treasure...

...along our drive to Tyler State Park, we enjoyed seeing the

blooming wild plum trees, redbuds, dogwoods and jasmine...

the park itself was surrounded by the tall pine trees and a

beautiful lake...lots of hiking trails and yes, close enough

to Canton for a "shop til you drop" day...six hours and 7.5 miles

was enough shopping for both of us...

the best part of the trip was

meeting Doris Mager (the eagle lady from Florida)...she was trully

amazing...she is 83 and travels in her van with ET, a Great Horned Owl, Cara, a Crested Caracara, and Tex, an Eastern Screech Owl....she travels around bringing awareness of the American Raptors and the need for their protection... she took a group of us on two "owl prowls"...both were 1 to 2 mile hikes, in the woods...she had specific rules...no talking, single file and no flashlights....we did see two screech owls the first nite...it was so cool...Saturday morning we attended her live presentation...of course, Bill and I had to participate...Bill was not too sure about Cara....I loved holding ET....what a great memory....

Packing up....

...cleaning windows, checking tire pressure, loading the fridge and stocking the pantry...we are heading out in the morning to Tyler State Park and a "shop til you drop" venture to First Trade Days in Canton...weather should be beautiful...can't wait to get back on the road...

Bastrop State Park, Texas

Lost Pines of Texas

Bastrop State Park was a perfect spot for camping...tall pine trees and lots of hiking trails...we took a few side trips to downtown Bastrop, a modern day Mayberry, San Marcos to have lunch with friends and Smithville where Hope Floats was filmed...beautiful weather...Gus had no problems pulling the CRV for the first time...we're back home, clothes washed and cabinets restocked and ready for the next trip...